Royalty, eh?
Disclaimer for the entire story: For any who has read my stories, I am nowhere
near the level of expertise in writing as J.K. Rowling. Therefore, I am not
getting any money from this. The two benefits are getting my grammar lesson
from my betas (and some reviewers) and reading all the wonderful reviews
Summary: Lily is a girl that is clueless about the real world. She has not even
see the land outside of the boundaries of her estate. James Potter is the boy
to change that. Though the method of causing the change is up to Lily.
Thanks to my three betas: tigerlily, angelainee, and ImpishWeasley for they put
up my numerous grammatical errors and parts that I unintentionally skip. These
three *insert good adjective* people have made this story read- able - at least
it makes sense. =P
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Astonishment, Amazement, Bewilderment, Wonder
This would be the chronicle of my life. I am never the type of person to keep a diary or a journal, but I have just received the shock of my life, and I am certain something like that would change a person. I, Lillian Evelyn Evans, am a witch. Not the ugly old hags with warts on their noses, or the one like the good witch Glenda from The Wizard of Oz. I am just a witch, as in a person with magical abilities. There wouldn't be any initial reaction from my parents because Father is on a business meeting and Mother, well, she isn't with me anymore. Mother died giving of heart failure when I was three. She always had a weak heart and the doctors think I might have the same problem. I have an older half sister named Petunia. She is Father's daughter from his previous marriage. I am not sure why Petunia doesn't live with me but then again, I am not sure why Father lives away from me most of days in the year either. From what I know, Petty, my nickname for the sister that I only met once, is currently living with her mother and her stepfather somewhere in Surrey. Where ever that is since I never get out of my house often. Maria, my maid or nanny, or surrogate mother, or whatever of the like, always accompanies me. The basic rule for me is to never be in public with father. I am kept from the rest of the world. Therefore, the news of going to Hogwarts is most exciting. All my life, I have had tutors who are afraid of me and I have no reason why. And since I will be attending Hogwarts, I will be able to have friends, and meet other people.
Oh what was I thinking when I wrote that I was going to attend Hogwarts? Father is the one that makes the decision for me. I suppose I am just excited since Father is coming home today. In fact, he should be at the front gate right now. It is noon and he is supposed to be home at noon. I'll have to run now; Maria says he wants me to meet him at the bottom of the Grand Stairway. That would be the name of the stairs leading up to my room from the entrance.
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I dashed down the stairs just in time to have Father give me his welcoming hug. He smelled funny because all around him, there was an essence of a strong perfume.
"Daddy? Why do you smell funny?" Father chuckled. He always did that when I say something silly or childish.
"That would be because I spent the entire hour from the airport sitting in the same car with your Grandparents. And you know how Grandma loves those French perfumes that can be smelt miles away." That would be correct. Grandma always loved perfumes. Every time I see her, which isn't often, I can tell she wears a different scent. Sometimes they are lovely like the light scent of jasmine and there are times where the perfume is like this time, so strong that it can wake a person in a coma.
I peeked out past Father and in the doorway, was a plump lady wearing the latest fashion, an old scrawny man smoking a cigar, and Jeff, our butler, panting with exhaustion since Grandma always packs stuff that weighs more than a herd of elephants.
"Good afternoon, my dearest Lily," said Grandma opening her arms, I ran to her immediately and returned her hug. Then we went through the usual process of checking whether I have grown, if my cheeks are chubby enough to pinch, how pretty my red hair is, and then she would look at my green eyes and say, "Just like a lily pond." She would then turn to Grandpa and make him do the same thing. But today, Father stopped the bonding time, as Grandma calls it, to serve lunch.
"Bertha, will you get the tables ready?" ordered Father to our other maid then he turned to me, "Lily, since today is your birthday, I have a little surprise for you." My eyes brightened instantly because Father always brings home little souvenirs from his trips. Once he went to India and brought me a little wired toy in which I can try and reshape it to different objects. "But, we will open presents after the meal. I didn't eat anything since one of those horrible airplane muffins six hours ago." We walked across the welcoming room and headed towards the family dinning hall. I wondered whether Father knows about the Hogwarts letter, perhaps Maria told him before hand. Anticipation proved to be the worst companion during a meal since I could barely eat and Grandma ended up scolding me for not eating enough.
"Okay, my little flower," started Father, "I know when you don't eat you are hiding something. Now tell your father the little secret." That coming from Father would surprise people since he is never home, but we seem to have this connection where I can't lie in front of him.
"Well, I got an acceptance letter from a boarding school." All the adults narrowed their eyes as if I was lying.
"Lily, there is no need to lie about anything," coaxed Grandma, "You can't have gotten an acceptance form since you have always been privately tutored. And I am sure your father hasn't sent any applications to any boarding school." She looked at father for reassurance.
"But I didn't lie. I have the letter in my room I will go get it." I ran up out the dinning room and up the stairs before anyone can stop me. That would have earned me a scolding from Madame Noelle since it isn't the actions of a proper lady. The whole running up and down the stairs was hard on my heart and I had to stop and catch a breath before actually entering the dinning room. "Here is the letter Daddy!" and I handed him the yellow envelope. He read the letter with Grandma reading over his shoulder. Grandpa was calmly smoking his cigar as if nothing unusual has happened.
"Is this a joke?" asked Grandma incredulously. Father looked at the letter, and then at me and looked at the letter again. He hand started to shake.
"Bertha!" called Father with his voice steady, too steady for comfort, "Bring me the box that was left from my wife's grandmother." Thoughts swirled into my head. What box was Father talking about? And why is mother suddenly brought up? Then Grandma's voice stopped me from my deep thoughts.
"William, what are we going to do? This will be a royal scandal! A witch in the family!" Grandma was having one of her hysteric attacks. This was when Grandpa finally joined the discussion.
"Calm down Mildred, I am sure there is a way to solve this. Let me see the letter Son." Father handed Grandpa the letter and a little note fell out.
"What is this?" asked Father as I picked it up. "Read it out loud dear."
"Dear Miss Evans, I assure you this is not a joke. Please go to the Leaky Cauldron in London today at 4 o' clock and some one will be there to answer you questions.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
"Daddy? Can we go?" The adults all looked at me like I was a ghost. "Please?" I asked more timidly. Father nodded mutely and looked to see Bertha coming in with a small wooden box.
"Here Lily, your great-grandmother wanted you to have this. I am not sure why and I don't know what is in it," said Father reading my thoughts. "I couldn't open it because it is locked but maybe this whole 'witch' thing has something to do with this." I nodded in obedience. Bertha handed the box to me and as light breeze flowed through the room and lifted the cover off the box. Grandma gasped and collapsed on Grandpa. It would have been funny had the situation not been so serious. Inside the box, there was a glass stick with a wooden handle with lilies engraved on it. There was something inside the glass part; it looked like string.
"Daddy, a piece of glass on wood doesn't explain anything." I looked at him blankly. He then looked at Grandma and Grandpa.
"Okay Lily, we will go to this Leaky Bucket place ("Leaky Cauldron," corrected Grandma gently) but in the remaining two hours, you will open your birthday presents." I jump with glee and the tension that was in the room disappeared as though nothing unusual has happened.
I got three ball dresses and a container of genuine French perfume from Grandma for reasons unknown because she will not tell me. I got a set of literary classics from Grandpa and from Father I got a pearl necklace with tiny emeralds separating each pearl. Grandpa' presents were the only ones that didn't cause any suspicion to rise in me. Grandma would never give me those types of dresses since I never go to balls; I had always stayed home with Bertha and Maria while Father went to them. Father would not give me any jewelry since I rarely ever wear them. I don't have pierced ears so mother's earrings were just little decorations in my jewelry box. Any normal child would ask questions about why the presents are different from usual, but I was raised with the idea that adults' businesses are none of mine. If they want me to know, they would tell me themselves.
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The entire ride to Leaky Cauldron was highly boring. Grandpa was dozing off, Grandma was examining herself and she kept on asking how she looked. Father was being overly nervous; he was reading the Hogwarts letter over and over again. By the time we arrived at Leaky Cauldron, he was practically naming off every item and book I need.
"Here we are," said our driver. He opened the door and Grandma was the first to get out. Then came me and Father and Grandpa.
"Well, this is a quaint little place," said Grandma as she looked at the old sign that says "Leaky Cauldron" and has a little cauldron as decoration. "I suppose we just walk in?" I shrugged and Father led the way.
Inside the pub was crowded with people. They were dressed in the funniest clothing. Some were in robes; others were wearing clothing like the 1800's. Grandma sniffed when she saw a lady wearing black robes. I suppose that went against all her fashion rules. I looked around hoping to find signs of people from Hogwarts.
"Hogwarts my dear?" asked a middle-aged man who I assumed was the bartender.
"Yes sir. I received a note from the headmaster for me to meet someone who can help me. It says they will be here at four." Father and my grandparents were behind me when I finished. I suppose they saw me talking to that stranger.
"I am Tom the bartender here at Leaky Cauldron," introduced the man.
"Oh sorry sir," I apologized since I had forgotten to introduce myself, "I am Lillian Evans and this is my father, William Evans the third, and my grandparents Mildred and Geoffrey Evans the fifth." The bartender tipped his head in acknowledgement.
"Oy Tom!" called someone from behind.
"Hello Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter. Where may I ask is young James?"
"Oh he is with Sirius looking at brooms," replied the pretty lady who would be Mrs. Potter. Why would people look at broom? Do witches and wizards actually use broom to fly? I was carried back to reality when Mrs. Potter continued, "My husband and I are doing a favor for Professor Dumbledore. He wanted us to be 'ambassadors of Hogwarts' to one of the muggleborn students. I believe the girl's name is Lillian Evans."
"Well, Mrs. Potter," began Tom, "This pretty young lady would be the girl you are looking for." I blushed at the compliment.
"Hello Miss Evans," said the lady. "You may call me Evelyn."
"Really? Oh I mean thank you. I suppose you should call me Lily then." I replied with a small grin because Mrs. Potter has the same name as my middle name.
"I suppose you have a lot of questions, but first we need to get your supplies. You can ask those questions while we do shopping." I turned around to look for Father and my grandparents. "My husband will be talking to your father about Hogwarts. Don't worry. He won't be left in the dark," said Mrs. Potter.
"I'm sorry but how can you be so sure I will attend Hogwarts? Father never gave me permission." Mrs. Potter chuckled.
"I am positive you will be attending Hogwarts after my husband speaks to your father." I looked at still not believing a word she is saying. Why would father suddenly let me off the mansion? This is actually the first time I interacted with strangers.
"Well, should I wait for Father to be done so he can go with me? I don't even have any money." Mrs. Potter looked at me like I was a very naïve eleven-year-old.
"Your great-grandmother left an account for you," I was surprised beyond belief. How did this woman know anything about my great-grandmother? She seemed to sense my amazement. "Your great-grandmother was good friends with my grandmother. Perhaps this is why Professor Dumbledore decided to have me introduce you to the wizarding world." A strong sense of connection was built between Mrs. Potter and I; she is the one that made me feel somewhat closer to my mother's side of the family. My mother's parents died a long time before I was born, but actually, my mother was the only surviving member of her family. I never found out because Father was always depressed on the topic of mother.
"I sense that your Father is ready to find our more about the wizarding world," said Mrs. Potter looking in the direction of my Father. "Come on Lily, let us join up with them. Maybe you can find some new friends doing back-to-school shopping." I nodded happily as Mrs. Potter took my hand and met up with my Father, grandparents, and Mr. Potter to go shopping, where ever that would be since we are walking towards the opposite direction of the door.
Postscript: Next up, shopping and meeting new people, perhaps a ball also.